Today on Main Street, our daily guide to the best game around, we look at #2 Tennessee and #7 LSU.
The Summary: These two have been the powerhouses in the SEC for most of this decade. LSU is rebuilding this season after losing National POY, Seimone Augustus, but they have still garnered quality wins over Ohio State, Michigan State and Georgia. Tennessee is having a banner year with National POY candidate Candace Parker. There only losses this season have been to #1 Duke and #4 UNC.
The Stakes: Unlike the past few years, this matchup has no real implications. Tennessee is a definite one seed. LSU, though, could basically secure a two seed with the home win and upset tonight. They fell short against #3 UConn at home last week when Porsha Phillips' three point attempt at the buzzer swooshed through, but was actually only a two-pointer, thereby causing the Lady Tigers to lose by one point and snap the nation's longest home winning streak. Tennessee should already have the SEC Title wrapped up, unless they would lose against LSU and Vandy to end the season.
The Series: Tennessee leads 34-9 overall and last defeated LSU in the 2006 SEC Championship Game 63-62, although LSU has won the previous two regular season matchups.
The Stars: For Tennessee it is obviously Candace Parker, although Alexis Hornbuckle adds an edge to the Lady Vols and Sidney Spencer is a dangerous three-point threat. For LSU, watch Sylvia Fowles, who is a double-double waiting to happen with her imposing presence. Quianna Chaney is the team's second-leading scorer.
The Say: Our take is that the game will be tight, however, Tennessee should pull away in the second half. The Lady Vols are used to hostile environments so they shouldn't be scared, and LSU isn't what they were the last few years with a go-to star like Augustus. LSU hangs their hat on their suffocating defense and that might be enough to pull off the upset. Tennessee wins.
On Air at 7 p.m. ESPN2
No comments:
Post a Comment